• PACIFIST Albert Beale suggests abolishing the military, (Letters, January 28).

The world would indeed be a better place were everyone just lovely to each other, were there no threats to peace, and no murdering criminal dictators, pirates, or other international trouble-makers.

No armed forces required, then, perhaps. Sadly the world just isn’t, and wasn’t, like that.

It wasn’t in 1939 when our having armed forces proved essential for the next six years.

It wasn’t in 1982 when HM Forces in the Falkland Islands were able to defeat Argentine forces, representatives of a murdering dictatorship, remember those 30,000 Los Desaparecidos.

The United Kingdom has modest numbers in HM Forces these days (fewer than 200,000, including the reserves) and I am pleased that, at long last, our government has seen the sense of a maritime defence strategy.

Whitehall is still responsible for the defence of 14 Overseas Territories and some 95 per cent by volume of our trade goes by sea, much passing through maritime “choke points” close to states that are not friendly.

This requires a “blue water” navy able to help the international effort of allies to police the seas, to maintain the freedom of the seas, to afford humanitarian aid and disaster relief when necessary, to clear busy sea lanes of mines and for high-end war fighting if need be.

As the government promotes “global Britain” the Royal Navy can assist there, too, “flying the flag” in support of diplomacy and trade missions.

China is making advances in the South China Sea, making illegal territorial claims in spite of international law. Russia tests our islands’ defences with its military aircraft and warships.

Iran remains a serious danger in the Gulf. Unfriendly states engage in cyber crime and other hostile acts. I would rather the world were in a different state but it seems rather dangerous a planet just now.

Nevertheless I don’t want our country to spend a penny more than is thought necessary to maintain the forces required to protect our interests worldwide.

LESTER MAY
Lt Cdr RN retired, NW1